Hand-brake.



l No. 775,713.

2 SHEBTSQSHLBT 11` Y m7715885.' d@

m nuon. vT T A No. 775,713. PATBNTBD Novgzz, 1904. H. B. VIGKERS.

HAND BRAKE.

APPLICATION'PILED JUNE 27. 1904l Nl) MODEL. 2 SHEBTS-SHBBT 2.

fob@- NWM UNITED STATES Patented November 22, 1904.

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PATENT HAND-BRAKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 775,713, dated November 22, 1904.

Application filed June 27, l9( )4. Serial Nox 214,314. (No model.)

T a/ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, HAYES BOWERS VICK- ERs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Hand-Brake, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved hand-brake, more especially designed for use on street-cars and similar vehicles and arranged to permit the operator to powerfully and quickly apply the brake and hold it applied without the operator being required to manipulate locking devices and to allow quick release of the brake whenever desired. Y

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar charactersof reference indicate co1'- responding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improvement as applied to a street-car, vparts of the latter being shown in section. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective View of the improvement. Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of the improvement, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the same.

On each end of the carA is secured a bracket B, in which is journaled the lower end of a brake-staff C, carrying at its upper end a hand-wheel D within convenient reach of the motorman or other operator in charge of the car to enable the motorman to turn the staff C in one direction to apply the brake or in the reverse direction when it is desired to release the brake, as hereinafter more fully eX- plained. On the lower end of the staff O, at the bracket B, is secured a worm E, in mesh with a worm-wheel F, turning loosely on a transverse shaft G, held in suitable bearings on the bracket B, and the said worm-wheel F is integral with a drum H, on the periphery of which is fastened by a bolt H one end of a chain I, connected at its other end with a link J, pivotally connected with a brake-lever K, controlling a brake-beam L, carrying shoes N for engaging the peripheral surface of the car-wheel O of the car A.

Normally the brake-shoes N are out of engagement with the treads'of the car-wheels O, and when it is desired to apply the said shoes to brake the car then the operator turns the hand-wheel D in one direction, so that the staff O is rotated, and with it the worm E, which in turn rotates the worm-wheel F and drum H for the latter to'wind up the chain I, thus exerting a pull on the link J and lever K to swing the brake-beam L forward, thereby moving the shoes N in frictional engagement with the treads of the car-wheels O to brake the car. When the brake mechanism is applied as described, it is not necessary for the Operator to hold the hand-wheel D or t0 manipulate locking devices, as the drum H is held against rotation by the worm-wheel F meshing with the worm E, it being understood that the worm and worm-wheel practically form a locking device to hold the connected parts against accidental rotation. When it is desired to release the brake, then th'e operator simply turns the hand-wheel D in a reverse direction for the worm E to turn the worm-wheel F and drum H for the latter to unwind the chain I, thereby releasing the brake-lever K, brake-beam L, and brakeshoes N.

- The said bracket B is preferably constructed of a vertically-disposed member or plate a, provided with openings for the insertion therethrough of suitable devices for securing the bracket to the forward end of a car-beam, and extending forwardly of said member is one side member c, which is beveled, as indicated, in order to reduce the amount of material employed in the construction of the bracket, said side member c termina-ting downwardly, as indicated at CZ. Opposite to the side member c is another side member e, similarly beveled, as indicated at f, and terminating downwardly in a hanger g, itbeingnoted that the transverse shaft G is supported by the said hanger g and the downwardly-terminating portion d of the side member c. Extending rearwardly of the vertical mem- IOO ber or plate fr is an integral horizontal meml ber or plate L, having suitable openings if therein for insertion of fastening-screws to enter the under side of the forward end of the beam of the car, and extending forwardly and downwardlyfrom substantially the point of intersection of the said member 7i with the member a is an integral number Z, terminating forwardly in an integral horizontal shelf or partition m, such shelf being also integral with the side member c d of the bracket. Below vthis shelf m is a corresponding shelf n, it being noted that the two shelves are provided with coinciding openings, through which the operating-staffI C extends, the worm E on said staff being located between the two said shelves (see Figs. 2, 3, and 4c) and the said lower shelf 7i also being an integral part of the structure. The side member e of the bracket is less in width than the side member c thereof, thus enabling convenient access to be had to the staif C from one side of the structure for any purpose desired, this construction also greatly reducing the amount of material required in the construction of the said bracket B. It will thus be seen that a very simple and effective structure is had, the supports for the staff C and the worm E being disposed forwardly of the member or plate ce a suflicient extent to permit of the free and unobstructed operation of the said staff.

The drum H is formed with a circumferential groove 0, (see Fig. 3,) in the base of which is formed a subgroove fr, the purpose of such construction being that while the horizontally-disposed links of the chain I are moving' over the base portions of the said groove 0 the vertically-disposed links of said chain will depend freely within the said subgroove 7', and thus will the friction between the said drum and chain be greatly reduced, as is apparent.

The improved brake is very simple and durable in construction and can be cheaply manufactured and easily applied to the brake mechanisms now generally used on street-cars, freight-cars, and the like.

By the employment of the worm and wormwheel described the brake can be powerfully applied with comparatively little exertion on the part of the operator, and as the latter is not required to manipulate locking mechanisms or hold the hand-wheel D during the time the brakes are applied it is evident that the operator can give his full attention to his other duties, and only when it is desired to release the brake is it necessary for the operator to turn the hand-wheel D in the opposite direction for releasing the brakes, as above explained.

As will be observed, the member Zand the shelves fm and n are less in width than the distance between the inner surfaces of the two side members of the bracket B, thus providing a space for the accommodation and working of the drum H and also enabling the proper association of the worm-wheel F with the worm E to be readily effected. From said construction the drum and worm-wheel may be set in place and removed from the rear of the bracket without detaching the bracket from its support and also without removing the staff C or worm E, as will be apparent, and, moreover, the parts are reduced to compact organization, resulting in increased strength.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. A brake for cars and similar vehicles, comprising a bracket adapted for attachment to a support, and constructed of a vertical plate, side members integral therewith, a forwardly and downwardly extending member, and horizontal shelves disposed one above the other, said member and the shelves being integral with one of said side members, and terminating short of the other, thereby leaving an open space through the bracket, a shaft supported by the side members, a drum located in said spaceand turning on the shaft, a gear rigid with the drum, vanother gear engaging therewith and located between the shelves, and means for operating the lastnamed gear, as shown and described.

2. A brake for cars and similar vehicles,

comprising a bracket adapted for attachment to a support, and constructed of a vertical plate, side members projecting forwardly therefrom, a forwardly and downwardly extending member between the side members, and horizontal shelves disposed one above the other, said member and the shelves being connected with one of said side members, and terminating short of the other, thereby leaving' an open space through the bracket, a shaft supported bythe side members, a drum located in said space and turning on the shaft, a worm-wheel rigid with the drum, and also turning on the shaft, a worm engaging the worm-wheel and located between the shelves, and an operating-staff for the worm having its bearings in the shelves.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HAYES BOWERS VICKERS.

lVitnesses:

EDWARD E. KINGsMANN, MABEL L. MALLORY.

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